Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Research Officer.

The committee received a report which set out the council’s approach to tackling inequalities and the improvement of social mobility.  A wide-ranging discussion was held in response to the issues set out in the report and which would inform further work to be undertaken in this area.  Points were raised in the following areas:

·            Discussion around issues of deprivation in Weymouth and Portland including education, employment and housing.  Recognition that there was a need to improve education and employment opportunities and raise aspirations

·            A conversation was taking place with MPs to try and tackle these issues and also how the Government measured prosperity – Dorset was seen as a prosperous area but it was recognised that there were areas of significant deprivation in Weymouth and Portland and lobbying continued for the Government to recognise this

·            Examples were provided of work being undertaken by the council and in conjunction with partners to address the issues covered in the report

·            Issues raised around academies would be raised with Children’s Services

·            There was a need to support and grow existing employment opportunities and also bring new employers into the area

·            Employment issues in Weymouth and Portland were discussed and the need for further investment in employment infrastructure and facilitation of job creation

·            An overview of the Stronger Neighbourhoods Strategy was provided, which had an initial focus on Weymouth and Portland.  Councillors were encouraged to contribute to this

·            It would take some time to develop measures of success and this would involve communities and stakeholders

·            A point was noted that particular areas for focus for the council were education and training and job creation and the links between these, particularly in Weymouth and Portland

·            Issues around the real living wage were raised and this would be raised with the S151 Officer following the meeting

·            The council would review lessons learnt in the wider social mobility area from experience in Weymouth and Portland and also from other councils

·            Housing was included as a theme in the Stronger Neighbourhoods Strategy and examples of programmes underway were provided

·            Documents needed to be clear and accessible to the public.